Per noted leaker Jon Prosser, the upcoming Apple Silicon Mac mini could provide some impressive new changes.
Prosser noted that aside from a conventional specifications bump, published renders have depicted a thinner model using the same magnetic power connection as the 24-inch iMac. He also cited that Apple could include the “M1X” chip as the unit’s processor.
The renders apparently indicate that the new Mac mini will take advantage of the small size of internal components to make the Apple Silicon Mac mini enclosure thinner. This could result in a shorter Mac mini that appears to have the same desk footprint as previous models.
Apple is alto thought to be including four USB 4-Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A connections, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI. Joining the roster is the magnetic circular power connection, the same as used on the 24-inch iMac.
The use of the magnetic connector could indicate that Apple may be externalizing the unit’s power supply to a similar power brick as found with the 24-inch iMac. If true, Apple could also be moving the Gigabit Ethernet connection to the power brick as a means of saving room on the back of the Mac mini itself. An additional rumor has indicated that the chassis will not only be thinner, but it will also be redesigned to have aluminum sides but a “plexiglass-like” top panel. Color options may be on the way, as they have apparently been “tested” by Apple.
The usual circular base of the Mac mini will allegedly be replaced by a pair of rubber strips. The vent, which is usually located at the back panel near the ports, has been moved to the base.
Finally, the so-called “M1X” chip, as of February, has been rumored to be a 12-core CPU with a 16-core GPU, a marked improvement from the 8-core CPU and 7-core or 8-core GPU found in Apple’s new M1 chip. The chip is also predicted to use up to 16GB of memory, feature 256 execution units instead of the M1’s 128, and could drive three displays instead of two.
As always, stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and @jon_prosser